This is a list of questions we are asked most often. Please keep in mind that we are not doctors and don't imply any medical advice. These answers come from either direct experiences with Kolt or reports we've gotten from other patients. Always consult with a physician before changing medical treatment plans or using medical marijuana or hemp products.

How do I find/know the correct dosage for my child?

The idea is to maintain a consistent cannabinoid level in the body. It’s best to use lower strength medicine and dose frequently (3-4 times a day). Strength is determined by body type, tolerance levels, the severity of the medical condition being treated, and many other factors. Luckily, an over-dose of cannabis leads to a nap so there is minimal harm in finding the upper limit.

How do you know the percentages of THC and CBD for a specific strain?

There are a lot of online resources that give ball-park figures on the percentages of individual cannabinoids found in a particular strain. These percentages are usually given as a range, 15-18% for example. Percentages are not set in stone and will vary depending on how the strain was grown. Type of light, soil microbial content, nutrients, air quality, pests, and other factors will determine the actual percentage. Testing is the only sure way to know the exact cannabinoid profile but .

What’s the difference between smoking and edibles? How do I know which one is right?

I like to classify the various modes into three categories; inhalation, ingestions, and absorption. This is to help better understand each mode individually, but please keep in mind that all these modes will affect the entire body to some degree regardless of specifics stated below. Most effective treatment plans consist of using multiple modes.

Inhalation: Smoking or vaping is the fastest and most effective means of getting cannabis into your body. The smoke/vapor enters the lungs and into the blood stream. The affect is almost instant and affects the body over all.

Ingestion: Edibles, capsules, and tinctures can act almost immediately or can take up to an hour or more depending on the product ingested. Ingestion provides medicine to the entire body but tends to be most effective at the site the product starts to break down.

Consider the ingredients of the product to help understand where it will be most effective. For example, sucking on hard candy keeps the medicine in the mouth and is great for a migraine, or eating an oatmeal cookie, something fibrous that will get into the bowel, for an irritated bowel.

Consider the consistency when judging how fast the medicine will act. A tincture will enter the blood stream faster than a cookie, for example.

Absorption: Creams, transdermal patches, and salves applied to the skin work great for specific target zones. Transdermal patches usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to kick in and last up to 12 hours. They work great for over-night dosing and affect the entire body quite well. Creams and lotions act faster but don’t tend to last as long and work best at specifics sites of pain/irritation. Salves do a good job to minimize infections of minor cuts, scraps, and burns.

Which is more helpful-for controlling meltdowns THC, CBD, or mix of both?

We have seen in multiple patients that an instant dose of high THC stops a meltdown sooner and more effectively than CBD. We’ve seen Kolt go from full melt down to a big hug in under one minute from puff of smoke. We’ve had patients report to us saying that not only is THC more effective, but that high CBD actually increases aggravation and aggression. Those reports coincide with our experiences with Kolt. If Kolt gets a high CBD medicine he will get highly agitated and violent. I’ve had patients, who don’t use THC, report that low doses of CBD can be effective but there seems to be a threshold of a sort to not go over otherwise the adverse reaction of aggression comes out. Being able to use THC to balance CBD seems to be the best option. This allows you to use higher strengths to get more benefits.

What reactions are expected when using medical cannabis?

Noticeable signs of the medicine working depends on the mode it was taken (see “What’s the difference between smoking and edibles?” question for kinds of modes.) and they are different for everyone. Smoking or vaping will be almost instant, where an edible will take longer.

Negatives: If stress, anxiety, chest tightness, cold sweats, instant fatigued, pounding temples, or blurry vision occurs this is an obvious sign too much medicine was taken. In this case, find a quiet place to lie down and relax. If the product was low strength or a small dose and you think this type of reaction shouldn’t have happened, then you may be THC sensitive. Look for strains that are lower in THC or higher in CBD to counteract the THC.

What treatment works best for Kolt?

Kolt’s main source of medical marijuana is simply smoking it. A high THC sativa during the day to stay focused and a high THC indica in the evenings help him wind down. We also, use the indica to stop a meltdown from happening if he gets agitated throughout the day. We use either a tincture or sometimes edibles like cookies, but not on a constant basis. It’s hard to give him tincture or edibles because of his sensory processing disorder.

How can I obtain a medical marijuana card?

In order to obtain medical marijuana, you must first have a qualifying condition. Each state has a list of conditions they approve the use of medical marijuana for. You can find a link to your state here. A doctor that has been given permission by the state will evaluate you and if seen fit, will recommend the usage of medical marijuana. Paper work is submitted to the state and you are issued a medical marijuana card. Most states work like this but please refer to your own state’s regulations for the exact process. Obtaining a medical marijuana card for a child is usually a more complex process and can involve multiple doctors’ approvals. Again, please refer to your state regulations on the specific process for this.

I got a medical marijuana card for my child, now what?

You can go to medical marijuana dispensaries and talk to some of the staff to see what they recommend. Support groups on social media, other patients, doctors, and 420autism are all a great resource to consult with.

What kind of growth/progress is expected from using oils?

Please keep in mind that when dealing with autism, we are not looking to “cure” anything; rather use the medical marijuana as a tool to let us work with the child easier. The medical marijuana will help manage moods, appetite, sleep, cognitive performance, nerve function, pain, digestion issues, and the list goes on. It depends on what symptoms you’re looking to manage and finding the right strain/mode of ingestion combo. Progress can be slow until the right combination is found. Some results can be seen immediately and others after a steady, prolonged use of medical marijuana. It all depends on the individual and what is being managed. It has been noticed that the younger the patient is when starting treatment, the better the results later in life are.

What is CBD and how is it different from THC?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid found in marijuana and hemp. It is non-psychoactive and has shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. In autism, we see it can have a calming effect and helps with thought and speech. THC is found in marijuana, only trace amounts are in hemp. THC is psychoactive and has shown to be an effective sleep aid and good for treating PTSD, seizures, and anxiety. In autism, we’ve seen it help improve motor skills, improve speech, and control metabolism.

I would like to start growing for my child, what strains would you recommend?

If you haven’t already found the strains you want to grow, I suggest going to a few dispensaries and trying multiple strains until you find a couple you like. Once you know what you want to grow you can ask around for clones or seeds. For autism, I suggest a high THC sativa and an indica that has about a 1:1 CBD:THC ratio. Check online resources to find the percent THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids if test results are not obtainable.

How can I try CBD for my child?

Since the passing of the United States Farm Bill of 2014, Hemp Oil products have become available nationwide and the quality of them, just as in any market, can vary greatly. Do your homework and buy from a reputable company and talk to others that may have used the product. 420autism offers Hemp CBD products as a fundraiser in our store. For more information, contact us.

My child has been on CBD/THC for years, why aren’t we seeing results?

Chances are they built up a tolerance and the strength needs to be increased or a new strain needs be tried. Keep in mind that the endocannabinoid system would no longer need a specific THC/CBD combo once the deficiency has been satisfied. Changing strains will provide a different cannabinoid profile for the system to use for other unsatisfied deficiencies. Too weak of strength will generally result in “almost” seeing the results you want, or just seeing parts of what you want here or there, but not as a complete picture. This “incomplete picture” could also be from the strain. The perfect strain for you will have a profile that gives you all the results you want. This usually comes from using multiple products in multiple ways.

What do you suggest for kids who don’t live in states where medical marijuana is legal?

The best option you have is Hemp CBD. Hemp is classified as a Cannabis Sativa plant that contains 0.3% THC or less on a dry weight basis, according to the United States Farm Bill of 2014. Consistent doses of low strength Hemp CBD has provided great results, depending on what you’re looking to manage. 420autism offers Hemp CBD products as a fundraiser in our store. For more information, contact us.

What oils would you suggest for vaping?

Some oils made for vaping contain glycerin or some other base. I suggest staying away from these and going with a more pure cannabis/hemp oil. Whole plant extract is more beneficial than high-purity isolates. I also suggest low temperature vaping, 500-700 degree range, to preserve delicate, low boiling cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other beneficial plant material.

Where can I move to start medical marijuana treatment?

Please make sure you and your family is ready before making this decision. Living in Colorado, I’ve seen a lot of families move here without proper planning and they end up returning to their home state broke and just as sick as they were to start. Please don’t do this! The first thing I suggest is to make sure the state you’re considering acknowledges your condition as qualifying for medical marijuana. You can see the qualifiers by state here. Learn the state laws regarding medical marijuana and see if they fit your needs. Do you plan to grow your own, assign a caregiver, or go to a dispensary? Knowing the states laws, as well as local ordinances, will help guide you based on what you’re looking to do.

My child’s symptoms aren’t qualifiers, what do I do?

Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do legally do with medical marijuana. You can, however, try using Hemp CBD products like oils and candies. Hemp is classified as a Cannabis Sativa plant that contains 0.3% THC or less on a dry weight basis, according to the United States Farm Bill of 2014. Consistent doses of low strength Hemp CBD has provided great results, depending on what you’re looking to manage. 420autism offers Hemp CBD products as a fundraiser in our store. For more information, contact us.

How do I start a cannabis-only treatment?

If you decide to go with a cannabis-only treatment program, then I strongly suggest talking with your doctor on how to properly ween off any current medication.

What specific strain do you recommend?

For a sativa, I recommend Durban Poison, Headband, and Bruce Banner. For an indica, I recommend Grape Ape, Skywalker OG, and Bubba Kush. I try to stay towards the far ends of the sativa/indica spectrum. I find that in-the-middle hybrids can have inconsistent results and don’t seem to be quite as effective. It’s easier to manage specific tendencies if the strain is more specific as well.

What are concentrates?

Oils are extracted from the plant using various methods. The solvent used to extract the oil is removed leaving a concentrated form behind. Cold water concentrates may not necessarily use a solvent, but the hash it creates is a concentrate nonetheless.